Looking Forward: An Advent Calendar

What and When is Advent?

The word “advent” means arrival or coming in Latin. Specifically, it relates to the coming of the Christ at the incarnation. Advent is celebrated in the weeks leading up to the day we set aside to remember the birth of the Messiah. It begins four Sundays before December 25, whether that Sunday is in November or December. This year Advent begins on Sunday, November 28th. However, when using an Advent calendar, counting down the days till Christmas begins either 24 or 25 days before, usually on December 1st or 2nd.

Why Do People Celebrate Advent?

Thousands of years before Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, God’s people anticipated His coming. They longed and looked for the Messiah, the One who would set things right. During that time of waiting, no one knew when or how God would send the Promised One to redeem mankind.

On this side of Bethlehem when celebrating Advent, in essence, we are re-enacting the many years that God’s people waited patiently and anticipated the coming of the Messiah, man’s only hope for restoration with God.Now that the waiting, is over we have all the more reason to rejoice because of God’s indescribable gift of LOVE, His own Son. In a world that has no place for Jesus, Advent really is about preparing our hearts for the Savior – making room for and receiving Him with joy, humility and gratitude into our lives, celebrations and families.

Recycle bin calendar. Who said you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear?

The Advent Calendar – A Wonderful Way to Teach Your Child About the Gospel

Advent serves a tool to point our children to Christ, the Promised Savior. An Advent calendar, as a family tradition, is one way children can become acquainted with the details of the incarnation. The calendar counts down to Christmas as the child opens a little door or pocket, etc. each day to reveal some small treasure that is hidden. My Advent calendar – compliments of my mom – uses little felt nativity figures. One day a magi is revealed, another day a lamb or an angel, right up to the day before Christmas or Christmas day itself. By then, the scene is complete, baby Jesus and all.

The nativity figures, after being removed from that day’s pocket, door, box or envelope, etc., could be ornaments that get hung on the tree or used to assemble a separate nativity scene. There are child-friendly creches available now that are unbreakable (see links below for purchased Advent calendars). A Portion of the Christmas story could be read, corresponding to the nativity figurine for that day until it is completed on the last day.

Start Now to Assemble Your Advent Calendar

There are a multitude of ideas available below. Also, click on the different photos in this post for links to tutorials, etc. If you start now, you should have more than enough time to be ready by December 1st. Take a look at the following links to get started; and don’t forget to involve the kiddos in putting the calendar together.

Complimentary Ideas

The nativity advent calendar can be complimented with other Advent calendars. One simple idea is to make a paper chain with each day offering an activity for your child. Tear off one chain per day and have fun with the activity. This link offers such a calendar that can be printed. (A few of the activities on the chain are from a Catholic perspective, so just adjust or change those days to suit your religious preference.)

For other ideas, do an online search for advent calendars to make. You’ll be surprised at the volume of ideas!

If you’d rather purchase a nativity advent calendar, here are some links:

A Unit Study on Advent

For a great online advent calendar with more info than is imaginable, go to this website. Though many of the links found on this site are either broken or have changed, the information at this site alone is more than enough for designing a great unit study about Advent.

How has celebrating Advent in years past changed your family’s perspective on Christmas?

Sharon has enjoyed being Robert’s helper for 34 years. She has also loved her role of being mom to their children – one son and three daughters (now all grown) – and “Granny” to seven, and soon to be nine delightful grandchildren. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping women in her church and beyond and also through her blogs (The Good Woman) and (Franziska's Pantry) to embrace and delight in their divinely-designed occupation as helpers.

For the past five years, my husband and I have read “Preparing My Heart for Advent” by Anne Marie Stewart. This goes way beyond Advent fluff into a deep study of Christ’s lineage and the events leading up to his birth. You’ll look at and contemplate the Christmas story in a way you never have before, starting on November 1st and going all the way through Epiphany (January 6th). Five years, and it hasn’t begun to get old! Ms. Stewart also delves into the history of carols and seasonal symbols, as well. Find her book here: http://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Heart-Advent-Marie-Stewart/dp/0899570836/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289333731&sr=8-1

Most years, we make a countdown calendar with paper rings. But instead of starting on 12/1, we always start with the first Sunday of Advent. The rings are purple until the 3rd week, when we switch them to pink. Then back to purple until Christmas.

I save leftover Christmas cards and magazine covers that have a nativitiy scene on them so the kids can pick a picture to put at the top (the nativity being the thing we are counting down to). Last year, we used nativity coloring pages instead, but I found my Christmas card box this year so we can do that again if they want to :)

thank you so much! i grew up celebrating lent with the wreath on the kitchen table, but have always had a desire to do more with it. THANK YOU for this great post and all the great ideas and resources.

I remember using the advent calendar when I was a child. It is such a fun way to anticipate Christmas! Last year, I started using the same advent calendar with my girls. (They were 3 and 5.) They have fondly remembered it throughout the year. I would take a picture of it to show you, but it is currently up in my attic. Here is a link to the one I used as a child and now use with my children: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-christmas-wooden-ll-bean-advent-calendar

Though, we never (even growing up!) used the Advent Calendar as the Christmas Story–it was always for ‘events’ or ‘projects’ (“Have a snowball fight” or “get hot cocoa with mom & dad”)…which is what mine is like, too.
For the Christmas Story, we have a Jesse Tree, complete with tiny miniture items that you put on one day at a time and explain the story of Jesus throughout the Bible. It’s really neat, I wish I had a picture of mine.
Here is an example of that that I found on the web: http://www.getreligion.org/wp-content/photos/2008/12/jesse_tree_lg.jpg

Sarah M

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I’m Ann. I’ve been part of the Keeper of the Home community for many years. You can read more about me here. How can we help you live a happier, healthier life?